Slang, Jargon and Lingusitic Taboosppt
Slang, Jargon and Lingusitic Taboosppt
Slang is actually characterised mainly by the vocabulary (words and phrases) used.
The structure and grammar of slang stays closely related to the standard language.
Types of slang include sports slang, music slang, student slang etc.
Slang typically reflects a person’s age.
Slang changes with time and it differs from society to society even when it is of
the same language, i.e. American English slang, Namibian English slang etc.
Slang and Social Class
Commie/bra/jita
Munchies= food Booze= alcohol
=friend
What is Jargon?
Different industries i.e. engineering, academia, nursing, law, medicine all use jargon to
exchange complex information efficiently.
Jargon is often unintelligible to those outside the group that uses it.
The negative feelings we have about jargon are because its use in a conversation can
either include or exclude us.
When speakers use words and phrases that act as a barrier because we do not know
them, we feel excluded. We might even feel stupid.
Legal Jargon: The Namibian
Constitution, Articles 5 and 6
In your language and culture, what are some things that one should
never utter/say in the following contexts?
The same often applies when addressing one’s in-laws. This is known
as avoidance speech.
In some cultures, men and women are not allowed to directly address
their parents-in-law.
What do you notice about the
headlines below?
Euphemisms
Disabled Differently-abled